Transfer applicator



Jan. 8, 1957 Filed June 2. 1952 J. E. KIENEL TRANSFER APPLICATOR 2 Shee ts-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. JOSEPH KIENEL ATTORNEY Jan. 8, 1957 ,1. E. KlENEL 2,776,509

TRANSFER APPLICATOR Filed June 2, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JOSEPH E. KIENEL BY ATTOENEY States Patent TRANSFER APPLICATOR Joseph E. Kienel, Acw-orth, Ga.

Application June 2, 1952, Serial No. 291,364

Claims. (Cl. 41-1) This invention relates to a transfer applicator andmore particularly to an automatic machine for applying transfers to socks, and other items of wearing apparel.

It has been found desirable in the manufacture of socks, stockings, hose and other items of wearing apparel to mark the size and the manufacturers name or trade-mark on each article produced. In order to accomplish this, it has been standard practice in the trade to transfer letters, designs, colors or a combination of these from a strip of paper to the article by applying heat and pressure against the paper while it is in contact with the article to be marked. This transfer may be accomplished by using a domestic iron or by using other types of equipment.

Generally, the transfer or label to be applied to an article of clothing is first printed inversely at spaced in tervals along a strip of paper or tape. When used, a printed section of the tape is held on top of the article and the heating element is applied to the back of the tape; then, the next printed section is used to mark the next article in a similar manner and so on.

Recently, a device has been used which consists of i a heating element supported by a reciprocating arm so that, in order to mark an article the operator need only posi tion the article and the tape appropriately beneath the heating element. This process has materially increased the number of transfers accomplished by one operator in a given time; however, the continual handling and adjusting of the article and the tape to the proper position is very tiring to an operator.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide a device which will alleviate the difficulties described above and facilitate the handling and marking of articles of clothing and the like.

Another object of my invention is to provide a machine which will increase the number of articles which may be marked by a single operator in a given time.

Another object of my invention is to provide amachine for applying transfers to articles which when the articles are successively placed on the machine will automatically mark and stack these articles.

v Another object of my invention is to provide a machine for marking articles of clothing, as described above, .which is easily operated by an inexperienced operator'with less fatigue than has heretofore been occasioned.

Another object of my invention is to provide an automatic machine for marking articles of clothing which 2,776,569 Patented Jan. 8, 1957 ice sponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a machine constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the machine shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view of a detail showing the pulley and ratchet driving mechanism of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a view of a detail showing the operation of the interlock system.

Referring now in detail to the embodiment chosen for purpose of illustration, and to Figs. 1 and 2 in particular, numeral 10 denotes generally a rectangular box-like casing which is open, as shown in Fig. 1, at its top. Adjacent this open top are positioned spaced roller shafts 11, 11 retained by journals 12 mounted on brackets 13 in Fig. 1. Fixed concentrically and centrally of shafts 11, 11', respectively, are solid cylindrical feed rollers 14, 14, which are provided with peripherial grooves adjacent their ends to receive spaced continuous belts 15, 15' which extend parallel to each other between the two rollers to convey articles to be marked across the top of casing 10.

7 As shown in Fig. 2, a reel supporting pan 16 is mounted within casing 10 along an end thereof adjacent roller 14'. Rollers 17 are mounted transversely between the sides of pan 16 and are spaced on an arc to support reel 18 thereon. Arm 19 extends up from one edge of pan 16 and is provided with a pivot pin on which is mounted for rotation a roller 20 which acts as a guide for the paper marking tape 21 unreeled from reel 18. As seen in Figs. 1 and 2, a window 22 is provided within the end of casing 10 adjacent pan 16, through which reel 18 may be inserted and then mounted to rest freely on rollers 17 within pan 16. When reel 18 is mounted properly on rollers 17 within pan 16, tape 21 leading from reel 18 is passed over roller 20 and then over rollers 14 and 14 so that tape 21 is spaced between parallel belts 15, 15" and in the same plane therewith. Tape 21 is provided with certain desired marking or labels 23 at spaced intervals along the top surface of the tape 21 so that when heat is machine is inexpensive to manufacture, durable in construction, efficient and inexpensive in operation.

Other and further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following disclosure when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like figures of reference designate come applied to the back of the paper tape, the printed material or label thereon may be transferred as desired.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, an arm 24 is pivotally mounted on the end wall of casing 10 adjacent roller 14. Arm 24 supports pressure roller 25 which rides against the lower portion of roller 14, and a spring 26 is connected to arm 24 and to the casing 10 to urge roller 25 against roller 14. After passing over roller 14, tape 21 is fed between roller 14 and roller 25 and down into the void lower section of casing 10; therefore, when roller 14 is rotated, tape 21 will be unreeled from reel 18 and pulled along in the same plane with belts 15, 15'.

Positioned somewhat centrally transversely within casing 10, is heating element, supporting bracket 27 which is fixed to the sides of casing 10 in a horizontal position. Bracket 27 is provided with an aperture in its central portion, through which is passed an upright rod 28 which is journaled for vertical motion within sleeve 29 which is fixed to the lower side of bracket 27.

Mounted on the upper end of rod 28 so as to be positioned between belts i5, 15 is a conventional rectangularshaped electric heating element 30 which is activated through electrical cables (not shown). At the lower end of rod 28 is a transverse pivot pin 31 which is fixed to rod 28 and iides within a slot within one end of lever arm 32. The other end of lever arm 32 is fixed to shaft 33 which shaft passes through casing 10 and is engaged by lever 34 on the outside of casing 10. It will be apparent therefore, that when lever 34 is moved up and down, heating element 30 will be moved away from or toward tape 3 21. Latches 35 and 36 are provided on casing adjacent lever 34 to act as a catch for the lever 34 and therefore allow proper positioning of heating element 30, either adjacent tape 21 as shown by solid lines in Fig. 2 oraway from tape 21 as shown by the broken lines in Fig. '2.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, a brace 37 is mounted upright within casing 16 and supports transverse axle 38. Axle 38 is journaled for rotation Within brace 37 and extends through an appropriate aperture in a side wall of casing 10. Pulley 39 is concentrically fixed to axle 38 between brace 37 and the wall of casing 10 and is driven by a continuous belt 46 which is driven from a gearhead motor 41 mounted on bracket 42 transversely within casing 10. Also fixed concentrically to the axle 38 is rocker disc 43 which actuates connecting rod 44 and' tilts platform 45 which is hinged to casing 10 by piano hinge 46. Fixed concentrically to axle 38 outside of casing 10 is a circular disc 47 having a cam 48 fixed to its inside face as illustrated by broken lines in Fig. 3.

Referring now in particular to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, pivot pin 49 is fixed to the outer face of disc 47 adjacent the periphery thereof, and attached to pivot pin 49 is a flexible cable 50 which loops around a solid cylinder 51 rotatably positioned on shaft 11. Cable 50 rides within helical grooves on cylinder 51, as shown in Fig. 4, and its end is fixed to cylinder 51 by screw 52. A second cable 53 is fixed to cylinder 51; the outer end of cable 53 extends down and is fixed to spring 55 which in turn is fixed to casing 10, as illustrated in Fig. 3. A cylindrical flange 56 made integrally with cylinder 51, as shown in Fig. 4, retains pawl 57 pivotally mounted on its face adjacent the periphery thereof. Pawl 57 drives ratchet 58 which is fixed concentrically to shaft 11. Therefore, as disc 47 rotates to pull cable 50, pawl 57 acts against ratchet 58 to rotate shaft 11. As disc 47 continues its cycle of rotation, spring 55 acts through cable 53 to rewind cable 50 on cylinder 51, thus allowing pawl 57 to pass over ratchet 58 and therefore not rotate shaft 11.

Mounted for vertical motion within aligned journals 59, 59 on casing 10, is standard 60 which is positioned above cam 48 so that thelower end of the standard will ride against the cam. Fixed to the upper end of standard 60 is a presser plate supporting arm 61 which is retained in place by a set screw (not shown). Arm 61 extends at right angles from standard 60 and supports presser plate 62 in a position over heating element 36. Presser plate 62 is faced with a resilient material 63 on its bottom surface; this resilient material may be rubber, neoprene, or a sponge material. Guide staff 64 extends from the top edge of casing 16 and through an aperture in arm 61 so that as arm 61 is moved up and down by the reciprocating action of standard 6i presser plate 62 will remain in the same vertical plane. A coil spring 65 has one end fixed to arm 61 and the other end of the spring is fixed to casing 10 so that standard 66 at all times is urged against cam 48. An interlock pin 66 depends from arm 61 and is so positioned that it is above the edge of casing 10 and as standard 60 moves down, the pin will normally pass through a drilled recess 67 passing partially down through the wall of casing 10.

As illustrated in Fig. 5, the interlock system, which is a means bywhich interlock pin 66 is blocked from entering recess 67, consists generally of an upstanding brace fixed to the upper edge of casing 10 which pivotally retains an interlock arm that extends outwardly and downwardly over tape 21. A lever arm 70 is fixed to interlock arm 69 at a position adjacent brace 68 and is pivotally fixed at its end to shutter bar '71 which extends as illustrated in Fig. 5 to a position where shutter 72 on shutter bar 71 can selectively block the entrance of interlock pin 66 into recess 67.

From the foregoing description, it will be obvious that an operator may place articles to be marked over each of the transfers 23 as they first pass over roller 14' and these articles will rest on and be carried along by belts 15, 15' under interlock arm 69 to a position beneath presser plate 62. It will be apparent from Figs. 2, 3 and 5 that an article positioned beneath presser plate 62 will lift this interlock arm 69 so that shutter 72 will uncover recess 67 and therefore not interfere with the passage of interlock pin 66 or the operation of presser plate 62. When an article is positioned beneath presser plate 62, disc 47 is at such a position of its cycle that shaft 11 will not be rotated and therefore tape 21 and belts 15, 15 will be stopped. With continued rotation of disc 47, the recess portion of cam 48 will position itself so that standard 60 drops into this recess and therefore causes presser plate 62 to press against the article positioned thereunder causing the article and the transfer tape to be pressed against heating element 30. With continued rotation of disc 47, presser plate 62 is lifted and the article will be carried by belts 15,15 and deposited on platform 45. My invention is so arranged that as each article is deposited on platform 45, the platform will tilt up as illustrated in Fig. 2 and thus stack the articles in any suitable container (not shown) placed adjacent casing 10 below platform 45.

It will be apparent that if no article is placed over a certain transfer 23, as this transfer passes over the heating element 30 the interlock arm 69 will not be lifted, because the necessary thickness of an article to be marked is missing, and the downward movement of presser plate 62 will be interrupted by shutter 72 blocking recess 67 and therefore blocking the downward movement of interlock pin 66.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many variations may be made in the single embodiment disclosed for purpose of illustration without departing from the scope of my invention as defined by the appended claims.

Iclairn:

1. A machine for applying transfers to articles of clothing comprising a casing a pair, of opposed rollers mounted in said casing, a pair of continuous belts passing between said rollers, means for supporting a reel of marking tape adjacent said rollers, tape from said reel passing over said opposed rollers and between said pair of continuous belts, said belts and said tape being adapted to receive said articles over said tape, a heating element mounted in said casing adjacent said tape, a presser plate mounted on said casing and movable to and from said heating element, means for controlling the travel of said belts and said tape to stop said tape and one of said articles over said tape for pressing action of said presser plate, means for selectively con-trolling said pressing action of said presser plate to press when said article of clothing is between said presser plate and said heating element and means for removing said article of clothing from said machine.

2. A machine for applying transfers to articles of clothing comprising a casing, a pair of opposed rollers mountedtransversely at the top of said casing, a pair of continuousbel-ts passing between said rollers, means for supporting a reel of marking tape adjacent said rollers, tape from said reel. pasing over said opposed rollers and between said pair of'continuous belts, a pressure roller riding against one of said opposed rollers to retain said tape therebetween, a heating element mounted in said casing adjacent said tape, a presser plate mounted on said casing,

. anticles, opposed elements mounted to apply pressure to said articles positioned there-between, one of said elementsbeing a heating element, conveyor'means for passing articles and marking tape together between said elements for pressing action, a shutter bar, and an interlock arm connected to said shutter bar, said interlock arm detecting an article between said elements, said shutter bar blocking the pressing action of said elements until actuated by said interlock arm.

4-. In a machine for applying transfers to selected articles, opposed elements mounted to apply pressure to said articles positioned therebetw-een, one of said elements being a heating element, a standard carrying one of said elements for movement to and from said other element, resilient means for urging said element carried by said standard toward said other element, cam means for urging said standard to move said element carried by said standard away from said other element, on interlock pin depending from said element carried by said standard for. movement therewith, a shutter normally positioned in the path of said interlock pin, and means for moving said shutter when an article is positioned between said elements.

5. In a machine for applying transfers to selected articles, opposed elements mounted to apply pressure to said articles positioned the-rebetween, conveyor means for passing articles and marking tape together between said elements for pressing action, a shutter bar, and an interlock arm connected to said shutter bar, said interlock arm detecting an article between said elements, said shutter bar blocking the pressing action of said elements until actuated by said interlock arm.

6. in a machine for applying transfers from tape onto selected articles, a pair of spaced conveyor belts for moving said articles successively across said machine, said space being wider than the width of said tape and narrower than the length of any of said selected articles, said tape extending longitudinally between said conveyor belts and beneath said articles and being moved in synchronization with said conveyor belts, and means between said belts for applying pressure to said tape and to successive of said articles, and drive means for intermittently driving said conveyor belt and said tape.

7. The structure as defined in claim 6 wherein said drive means also simultaneously moves said means for applying pressure to apply said pressure when said conveyor belts and said tape are stopped.

8. The structure as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for applying pressure includes opposed elements, one of said elements being movable toward and away from said other, a means for blocking said movement of said one of said elements toward the other, said last mentioned means being characterized by an interlock pin on said one of said elements extending toward the other of said elements, a shutter normally positioned in the path of said interlock pin, and means for moving said shutter when an article is positioned between said elements.

9. In a machine for applying transfers to selected articles, opposed elements mounted to apply pressure to said articles positioned therebetween, conveyor means for carrying and successively positioning said articles between said elements, means for actuating said opposed elements to apply said pressure, and means for intermittently driving said conveyor means and for actuating said opposed elements in synchronization with the intermittent driving of said conveyor means, said conveyor means including a marking tape lying in substantially the same plane with said conveyor means and moving therewith, said articles being positioned over said tape and being in contact with said tape while said articles are moved by said conveyor means.

10. The structure defined in claim 9 including means for moving one of said elements toward and away from the other of said elements, an interlock pin carried by said one of said elements, a shutter normally positioned in the path of travel of said interlock pin, and means for removing said shutter from :the path of travel of said pin when an article is positioned between said elements.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,066,653 Rau July 8, 1913 1,086,400 Richardson Feb. 10, 1914 1,242,454 Littlefield Oct. 9, 1917 1,369,934 O-ns-tad Mar. 1, 1921 1,504,545 Chadwick Aug. 12, 1924 1,810,327 Phelps June 16, 1931. 1,903,639 Tamplin Apr. 11, 1933 2,078,448 lost Apr. 27, 1937 2,172,318 Ferguson Sept. 5, 1939 2,501,539 Ruth Mar. 11, 1950 2,603,150 Klug July 15, 1952 

